Halls Creek children 'have war-zone trauma'

The Aboriginal woman who has led the push for tough alcohol restrictions in Halls Creek says many of the town's children exhibit trauma-linked symptoms similar to those in wartorn countries.

Doreen Green was in Perth this week to deliver a speech at Christ Church Grammar School in which she labelled welfare dependency a curse that held Aboriginals back and said foetal alcohol syndrome was a slow genocide of her people, culture and language.

In an emotional interview yesterday where she broke down in tears, Ms Green said director of liquor licensing Barry Sargeant had an opportunity to save generations of children if he enforced a proposed ban on full-strength take-away alcohol in the town.

"Children are experiencing trauma and emotional upheaval in their personal lives and for some kids it's on a daily basis," she said.

"It's just not a good environment for kids to be brought up in ... because kids see the misery all the time and experience it as well.

"One Aboriginal lady in the Kimberley, and she's right, describes it as our kids are now showing emotional signs similar to kids from war-torn countries.

"If the restrictions go ahead I think people will remember Barry Sargeant as a man who saved generations of children's lives.

"And if it doesn't, well, doctors are talking about resigning, teachers are talking about not coming to Halls Creek and... I will sadly walk away (from the fight) as well."

Ms Green said many women in the town who abused alcohol had been continually asking when the ban would be implemented because they believed it was the only way they could break their addiction.

The grandmother also revealed that there was a push in the town to have local children screened for foetal alcohol syndrome, as is due to happen in Fitzroy Crossing

Ms Green admitted that the pressure she had come under from some in the community since speaking out had been difficult at times but she believed it was worthwhile.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan backed calls for tough alcohol restrictions in Halls Creek, claiming that business interests were being given priority over the welfare of the alcohol-ravaged community.

He said a ban on the sale of fullstrength takeaway alcohol in Fitzroy Crossing in 2007 had been an overwhelming success and police believed Halls Creek was in dire need of similar restrictions.

A spokesman for Mr Sargeant said on Wednesday that a decision was likely over the next week or two.